“Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? ……….” Job 1:10a
With this question, the Serpent continues the assault on God’s character, he starts with the question: “Does Job fear God for no reason?”. But, these questions are also an attack on Job’s character. Satan is the relentless accuser of man. Revelation 12:10 says:
“And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.”
But, praise be to God who provided an advocate for Job and for you in the face of the Devil’s accusations:
“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:1
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:31-39
Satan clearly didn’t understand and/or believe the depths of God’s love for Job. His willingness to send His only begotten Son to rescue humanity, and not to simply bless them materially. True, Job wouldn’t love God apart from His saving grace. But, God had given Job a new heart, one that would continue to grow in love for Him, even and especially through the severe trial ahead. A new heart from which already flowed a desire to be an advocate for his family and friends (Job 1:5 and Job 42:8).
Be encouraged, though the wicked accuser brings his charges against you, you have an advocate who purchased you by His blood and ever lives to intercede for you. Come what may, God has promised you will persevere, because of the One who now sits at His right hand. And, in light of this, intercede for others by offering up prayer for your neighbor in the name of Jesus your great advocate.
***For a long time now I have been fascinated with the questions found in the book of Job. I have determined to consider these questions one by one as I have opportunity to write the weekly pastoral encouragements in the years ahead
Pastor Rich
